Tai Shan: A Sacred Climb

Live to be a centurion

It’s said that you will live to see 100 years if you climb this sacred mountain. There are several options for the 4-7 hour ascent, some shorter than others, with the main route being a brick path all the way up. As at many of China’s other tourist hotspots, expect to be followed by vendors trying to earn a renmimbi or two.

For the not-so-physically inclined, there are 24-hour buses that run to the midway point of the mountain. A cable car is also available for eagle-eye views.

Catching the sunrise is a popular activity but requires nighttime hiking or sleeping at the top. Make sure to bring a flashlight!

Some logistics

Taishan station is Tai’an’s train stop and is serviced by trains coming from Beijing and Shanghai. From the station, local bus #3 will get you to the base of the mountain. Taxis are also available, and you may even want to walk to the closer access entry points to warm yourself up for the climb.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION:

For thirteen more UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Asia, David DeFranza rounds ’em up here.